[1]JR Motorsports announced that the team has signed Sprint Cup Series driver Regan Smith to drive the team’s No. 5 Chevy in the Nationwide Series in 2013. Smith will make his debut with the team in the final race of the season at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The team will field three cars for that race.

Smith’s car is the only one that, at this time, is slated to run the full schedule. The team hopes to field the Nos. 5 and 7 full time in 2013, with Dale Earnhardt Jr driving the No. 88 in select races. JRM hopes to keep Cole Whitt, putting him in the No. 7.

JRM General Manager Kelley Earnhardt Miller said:

We feel it is important for our sponsors, our fans, and even Dale to keep his Nationwide Series number consistent with his Cup number. His brand is associated with the #88. That’s what makes him distinguishable on the race track, so it’s only natural that he drives the #88 all the time. To do that, we are making our #5 Chevy our full-time entry. We hope to have Cole in the #7 full time in 2013, and we are working hard on securing sponsorship for that.